International Journal of Civil, Structural, Environmental

and Infrastructure Engineering Research and

Development (IJCSEIERD)
ISSN (P): 2249-6866; ISSN (E): 2249-7978
Vol. 9, Issue 3, Jun 2019, 1-8
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

THE EFFECTS OF PARTIAL INTERACTION DEGREE ON REINFORCED

CONCRETE ARCH BEHAVIOR

WALEED A. WARYOSH 1 & ENG. SHAIMA SABRI ALI2

1
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Al-Mustansiriayah University, Baghdad, Iraq
2
Ph. D Student, Civil Engineering Department, Al-Mustansiriayah University, Baghdad, Iraq
ABSTRACT

The arch usually subject to multiple load relay on the position of arch such as dead, live and others which
will produce stresses in the arch rib that are generally small compared with the axial compressive stress. The benefits
of arch that works primarily in compression, and carries compressive loads, not tensile loads and the arch sustain
loads better than straight beam. In present work four types of reinforced concrete arches and fifth arch without
reinforced are tested under static loading at the center of the top face of the arches. The arches are different in
spacing of stirrups for the T – section reinforced concrete arches. The tests results showed that the casted concrete in
different stirrups has effects on the strength capacity of the concrete arches by increase the compressive strength of
arches even when casted as full interaction reduced the deflections.

Original Article
KEYWORDS: Reinforced Concrete Arches, Compressive Strength, Stirrups Full & Partial Interaction

Received: Feb 16, 2018; Accepted: Mar 06, 2019; Published: Apr 09, 2019; Paper Id.: IJCSEIERDJUN20191

INTRODUCTION

An arch is defined as a curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support for the
loads above the opening [1]. In 1994, Jasim [2], present a method of analysis based on the linear elastic theory,
which enabled the construction of design charts for estimating the mid-span deflection of simply supported
composite beams with partial interaction. The study also presented a method of analysis to determine the influence
of partial shear connection on free vibration of simply supported composite beams. In 2004, Oehlers and Park [3]
studied the shear connectors in composite beams with longitudinally cracked slabs. A method of determining the
dowel strength of shear connectors in longitudinally cracked concrete slabs with transverse reinforcement was
derived. The method depends on the strength of the shear connector in longitudinally untracked slabs, as used in
most design techniques, and on the stiffness of the transverse reinforcement. In 2004, Radić et al. [4], reviewed
many constructional methods that adapted to constructed reinforced concrete arch bridges. The evaluated methods
of constructions indicated that the development of free cantilever construction techniques for large and long
concrete arch bridges was greatly improved through the construction of some bridges. In 2007, Quiroz [5],
investigation focuses on the evaluation of full and partial shear connection in composite beams using the
commercial finite element (FE) software ANSYS. In 2008, Cadoni et al. [6], studied the highway reinforced
concrete arch subjected to high dynamic loading tested in situ. The test results were used as input data in the model
that simulated the prototype bridge by finite elements analysis to check out the existing performance of bridge. In
2010, Heidarpour [7], presents a somewhat generic model for the nonlinear elastic behavior of composite arches
subjected to sustained loading at elevated temperatures. The effect of partial interaction between the steel and

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2 Waleed A. Waryosh & Eng. Shaima Sabri Ali

concrete components in the tangential direction, as well as the variation of internal axial compressive forces along the
member, is taken into account. In 2012, Caglayan et al. [8], assessment arch concrete bridge under the effects of static and
dynamic loadings by finite elements analysis. In 2014, Yang and Shieht 9, solved many structural problems included arch
by taking into account the nonlinearity geometry behavior of the selected structural elements. In 2015, Khan et al. [10],
extended the direct displacement–based design method that spliced for buildings and bridges to arch design, The analysis
results showed that the suggested approach is capable to design the cases that take it into account because of gave closed
results as compared with other approached.

In present work, the parameters that taking into accounts are the spacing of stirrups, the amounts of stirrups and
the composite action. The effects of partial interaction degree on reinforced concrete arch behavior as experimental tests
are examined.

An Experimental Program

The experimental program consisted of material mechanical properties, support and loading conditions and test
methodology

Mechanical Properties of Materials

The average of three specimens are adopted at (28) days at the time of tested specimens as cubes, cylinders and
prisms. The cement type is Ordinary Portland cement that mixed with the fine and coarse aggregate in which the maximum
size of (4.75mm) and (10 mm) respectively.

Three specimens for each diameter of bars that adopt to reinforce all the structural arch specimens are tested.
Tensile test of steel reinforcement is carried out on diameter (12 mm) and (10 mm), by taking specimen length (500 mm),
the tests results list in Table 1

Table 1: Properties of Steel Reinforcement

Yield Tensile Ultimate Tensile
Nominal Es
Strength Strength
Diameter(mm) (GPa)
fy (MPa) fu (MPa)
12 410 610 200
10 405 596 200

Test Program

A total of five reinforced concrete arches specimens were tested. The arches specimens profile, configuration and
details presented in Figure 1

Table 2: Specimens Details

Specimen Compressive Strength Stirrups Spacing
Specimen Description
Mark fc' (MPa) (mm)
Arch 1(AR1) reference 25 150
Arch 2(AR5) Interaction effect 25 250
Arch 3(AR6) Interaction effect 25 200
Arch 4(AR7) Interaction effect 25 100
Arch 5(AR8) Without reinforcement 25 ------

The specimens are classified into five specimens relay on the spaces of strips. The height of arches for all the

Impact Factor (JCC): 8.1092 NAAS Rating: 4.15

The Effects of Partial Interaction Degree on Reinforced Concrete Arch Behavior 3

specimens is (500 mm) at the bottom face of the arch, the length of arches (2100 mm), as shown in figure (1). The first
specimen AR1 as reference arch to compare with other specimens and it reinforced with (10 mm) diameter of stirrups at
(150 mm) center to center. Other specimens (AR5, AR6, AR7) with the same main reinforcement but different spacing
stirrups (250, 200, 100) respectively except (AR8) without reinforcement.

Figure 1: Arch Configuration and Geometry, all Dimensions in Mm

Support and Loading Conditions

The test arches are fixed over a span of (2100 mm) that represent the total arch span and loaded with one point
load applied at the top face center of the arch span and distributed across the entire width of the arches by a solid rod up to
failure as load control, as shown in figure 2

Figure 2: Applied Loading Setup

TEST PROCEDURE

The applied loadings for all specimens are gradually in small increments up to failure load to examine the full
behavior. Deflections concrete are recorded for each load step. When the specimen reach advanced stages of loading
(appearance of first crack), smaller increments of load are recorded up to (90%) from the ultimate loading then continued
until failure of the specimen. The sides of each arch specimen are painted white to expose the formation of cracks during
tests. The tests are carried out by using a universal testing machine brand as (8551 M. F. L. system) with capacity of

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4 Waleed A. Waryosh & Eng. Shaima Sabri Ali

(3000 kN), as shown in Figure 2 Soft wooden boards are placed between the steel tubes and the base of the test frame to
eliminate undesirable bearing stress concentrations and the effect of friction during test. In placing the specimens in the
testing machine, care is taken to ensure concentric loading at the center of top face and prevent develop any torsion during
test.

TEST RESULTS

Four differences reinforced concrete arches that mentioned in Table 2 that subjected to static load up to failure.
Figures 3 to 7 shows the specimens before and after the test. The mode of failure is flexural for specimens. Figures 8 to 9
represents the full behavior of the load-deflections at arch center and at quarter of the arches span respectively.
The behavior of all specimens linear up to the first crack loadings and then the behavior become nonlinear so that the curve
directed toward the horizontal axis because of the concrete become weak due to increase in applied loading up to failure.
Table 3 lists the summary of the test results.

Figure 3: Specimen Arch 1 Before and after Test

Figure 4: Specimen Arch 5 before and after Test

Figure 5: Specimen Arch 6 before and after Test

Impact Factor (JCC): 8.1092 NAAS Rating: 4.15

The Effects of Partial Interaction Degree on Reinforced Concrete Arch Behavior 5

Figure 6: Specimen Arch 7 before and after Test

Figure 7: Specimen Arch 8 before and after test

Figure 8: Load Deflections behaviors of all Specimens at Mid Span of the Arches

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6 Waleed A. Waryosh & Eng. Shaima Sabri Ali

Figure 9: Load Deflections Behaviors of all Specimens at Quarter Span of the Arches

Table 3: Tests Results Summarized for all Specimens

First % of
Deflection at First Deflection at Ultimate
Cracking Ultimate Change
Specimen Cracks (mm) Load (mm)
Load Pc Load Related to
Mark
(kN) Quarter Pu (kN) Control Quarter
Central Specimen Central
Span Span
AR1 105 0.45 0.53 525 0 7.00 11.10
AR5 85 0.25 0.30 434 -17.33 3.46 6.20
AR6 115 0.09 0.22 455 -13.33 3.77 6.26
AR7 180 0.20 0.55 628 19.62 3.19 11.67
AR8 50 0.17 0.55 170 -67.62 3.26 3.72

DISCUSSIONS

The specimen (AR5), the load capacity is (434 kN) compared with the control specimen (AR1) there was reduced
in strength about (17.33%). The amounts of stirrups make the reinforced concrete arch work as partial between the flange
surface bottom area and web so that shear stresses will developed at the interface. The maximum deflection at the center
and quarter of the arch span is (6.20 and 3.46 mm) respectively. The deflection of (AR1) at the same ultimate load of
(AR5) is (5.1 and 2.92 mm) as shown in figure (4.4) and (4.5).

The specimen (AR6), the load capacity is (455 kN) compared with the control specimen (AR1) there was reduced
in strength about (13.33%). The amounts of stirrups are more than that of the specimen (AR5), center to center spacing is
(200 mm) rather than (250 mm) for (AR5). The reinforced concrete arch work also as partial compared with (AR1).
The maximum deflection at the center and quarter of the arch span is (6.12 and 3.77 mm) respectively. The deflection of
(AR1) at the same ultimate load of (AR6) is (4.9 and 2.85 mm).

The specimen (AR7), the load capacity is (628 in) compared with the control specimen (AR1) there was an
increase in strength about (19.62%). The amounts of stirrups are more than that of the specimen (AR1), center to center
spacing is (100 mm) rather than (150 mm) for (AR1). The reinforced concrete arch work as full compared with (AR1) and
other specimens has same mechanical properties and main reinforcement’s configuration. The maximum deflection at the
center and quarter of the arch span is (11.67 and 3.19 mm) respectively. The specimen (AR8), the load capacity is

Impact Factor (JCC): 8.1092 NAAS Rating: 4.15

The Effects of Partial Interaction Degree on Reinforced Concrete Arch Behavior 7

(170 kN) compared with the control specimen (AR1) there was decrease in load capacity around (67.62%) because of no
reinforcements embedded in section so that the arch specimen worked as plain concrete and resist only applied load only
by compression resistance. The load capacity of the specimen Arch 7 gave large value than others specimens

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the tests results and the observations during tests that showed the spacing of stirrups for full and partial
connection will effects on the behavior and strength of the reinforced concrete arches even when casted at different spaces.
Specimen Arch 7 gave increased in strength capacity around (19.62%) as compared with the Arch 1. Deflections at quarter
and mid span decreased with increased in compressive strength of concrete because of increased in modulus of elasticity of
concrete. The loading required to appear the first crack increased as the compressive strength increased because of
increased in internal capacity of the specimens. The cracks developed and appear from the mid span of the specimens and
then propagated started from the bottom face of the specimens up to top face due to increase in applied loading up to
failure. Partial or full interaction between flange and web relay on the amounts of stirrups, so that in case of less amounts
of stirrups that developed slip and the capacity reduced. The reduced in capacity in specimen compare with control
specimen is 17.33% and 13.33%. The cracks that developed due to applied loading distributed uniformly along the
specimens that located at or near the mid-span. When the spacing of stirrups decreased and within limits, the shear strength
capacity increased because of the shear reinforcements with the surrounding concrete work as full interaction.

REFERENCES

1. Chung C. Fu and Shuqing Wang, "Computational analysis and design of bridge structures", CRC Press, First edition, 2015.

2. Jasim, N. A., “The Effect of Partial Interaction on Behavior of Composite Beams”, Ph. D. Thesis, University of Basra, Iraq,
1994.

3. Oehlers, D. J., and Park, S. M., "Shear Connectors in Composite Beams with Longitudinally Cracked Slab" Journal of
Structural Engineering, Vol.118, No 8, August 1992, p 2004.

4. Radić et al. “Construction Methods for Reinforced Concrete Arch Bridges,” DAAAM Int. Sci. B., 2004.

5. Queiroz, F. D., Vellasco, P. C. G. S., & Nethercot, D. A. (2007). Finite element modelling of composite beams with full and
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9. Caglayan “Assessment of a concrete arch bridge using static and dynamic load tests,” Struct. Eng. Mech., vol. 41, no. 1, pp.
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10. YANG and SHIEH, “Solution method for nonlinear problems with multiple critical points,” AIAA J., vol. 28, no. 12, pp. 2110–
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11. AL-Shammari, M. A. A., & AL-Gaffar, S. A. Experimental and Theoretical Study in Rubber Reinforced with Carbon Fillers
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Impact Factor (JCC): 8.1092 NAAS Rating: 4.15